A big thank you to Aaron Robshaw for today’s word. Aaron is an expert on armor and leather work. He combines bespoke crafting of armour for re-enactments and collectors with leather work for motorbikes. You can discover the latter by clicking here.

“This,…” Becky’s Mother stroked a finger over the young girl’s palm. “Is your life line.” She smiled, her blue eyes fixing on her Daughter’s. Becky giggled, pulling her hand away.

“Tickles, Mummy!”

Mother and Daughter laughed together, their summer hats flapping gently in the breeze. Below them, the surf crashed against the legs of the pier. Gulls soared above, calling a lament as they swept out to sea.

Today’s one word title was suggested by the lovely Becky Danks – avid bookworm and reviewer. You can find her on Twitter at @BeckyD123.

Keep your one word titles coming in – I can’t do it without you! Pop your suggestion in the comments section below or tweet it to me @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory. Go on, what’s stopping you?

Stephen pressed ten fingers to the glass, his breath frosting a small circle as his face sank ever closer. Someone was talking to him. A nurse, he thought. He didn’t care.

For so much of his life he’d drifted: aimless in his passage from one job to the next. One failed relationship followed another – a ship without power or purpose, blown on the wind. Finally life mattered. Beyond the glass she lay: swaddled in an incubator, tiny and useless.

“She will need constant care for the rest of her life.”

He didn’t know why the nurse looked so sad. To Stephen, his daughter was perfect.

Benjamin peered through the window, wide eyes looking out into a star-specked sky. The boy smiled as he carefully scanned the horizon: tonight he would see Father Christmas. Outside his door, two figures were kissing in the dark, their giggles muted by the touch of their lips. They made no sound as they printed a soot-covered shoe to the floor. They were careful to make no sound as they crept away, hand in hand. Still Benjamin waited. And, as his eyelids fluttered closed, he knew,… he just knew,… that tonight he would be the boy who saw Father Christmas.

(c) Tim Austin 2016

Today’s word was suggested by Jemma Cross – Acting Coach, Director and proud Mum-to-be. You can find her over on Twitter at @JemmaGross. If you want to donate a word, please pop it in the comments below or tweet it to @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory.

This project now has a Facebook Page! Like it and you’ll get a new story showing on your feed every morning. And if you’re on WordPress, hit up that follow button, below and never miss a post.